George Ranch’s Campfire Christmas

On Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21, this special event at George Ranch is a journey back in time to Christmases from the 1830s to the 1930s. Enjoy a progressive Christmas dinner, music, hayride, and exclusive evening tours of the 1890s Davis Victorian Mansion and 1930s George Ranch Home.

Finish up with dessert around the campfire with the George Ranch cowboys. The cost for non-members is $50, while members, children ages 8-15 and seniors 62 and over pay $45. Aspiring cowhands will want to get on the stick, since the event sells out quickly. (281) 343-0218

Christmas Boat Parade

Watch the Christmas Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Kemah Boardwalk, also a CityPASS attraction. Hundreds of boats will be spruced up and glimmering for the holiday cruise along Galveston Bay, so get there early for the best view. If you become bored with the boats, you certainly will be entertained by the Boardwalk’s collection of rides, eateries and shopping.

5th Annual Gingerbread Build-Off

This event takes place on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. Not only do creators of the culinary delights have to be inventive, they have to be fast. They only have a few hours to build towering, tasty structures. More than 30 teams will be clamoring to claim the coveted Grand Prix de Show in front of 3,000 cheering spectators. The event is free.

Downtown Aquarium

Families can enjoy a buffet at Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 14, 15 and 21-24 from 8-10 a.m. at Downtown Aquarium, another Houston CityPASS attraction. Guests can get photos with the bearded one, and may even catch him swimming with the fish. Cost is $15.99 for adults and $9.99 for children ages 3-10. Reservations are a must. Call (713) 223-3474.

After all that eating, you’ll want to get out and move those legs. Why not glide around on an ice rink? Between now and Feb. 2, 2014, Ice at Discovery Green is holding holiday events on its 7,716 square-foot outdoor rink. Visitors can glide and giggle while enjoying an assortment of holiday-themed activities, including skating with Santa, concerts, movies and more. I have no idea how Santa can be at all these places, but there you go.

Houston Zoo Lights

Catch the glitter and shimmer of this year’s Houston Zoo Lights, which has added another million lights to the spectacle. But you don’t have to hurry— it will remain open to the public through Jan. 4, 2014 (except for Dec. 24-25). Even with a Houston CityPASS ticket, keep in mind that the Zoo Lights is a separate event, and the zoo closes for the day at 5 p.m. and opens up for Zoo Lights at 6 p.m.

Photo credit: Houston Zoo. Holly Berry, the 1958 Cadillac that is the official ‘mascot’ of Zoo Lights. Holly puts on a light show with over a thousand lights and synchronized music.

Watch for the enchanted forest, animal sculptures and tooting holiday trains. The path even winds through the zoo’s cat habitat with cougars, jaguars, lions, leopards and more. Non-members pay $10 ($12 at the gate), members pay $7 ($9 at the gate), and children under 2 are free. Enjoy the variety offered by this Houston attraction! If you do even a fraction of the above, you’ll have earned a holiday with your feet on the coffee table, a hot chocolate in your hand, and adoring loved ones taking care of the dishes. But don’t count on it.